All Investigations » Investigation RQ03001

  Defect Investigation of Power Rack And Pinion Steering Failure

Investigation of Power Rack And Pinion Steering Failure

Subject: Power rack and pinion steering failure
Components covered:
  • Steering
  • Steering rack and pinion
Investigations Summary: This investigation was opened on Jan. 2, 2003. It was closed on Sep. 15, 2003. Gm conducted a safety recall (NHTSA # 02v286) to address a steering defect pertaining to a lower pinion bearing (lpb) within the rack and pinion steering gear (r&p). The recall covered 1,159,156 model year 1997-1998 pontiac grand prix vehicles built between March 1, 1996 and October 31, 1997, 1996-1998 pontiac trans sport, Chevrolet lumina apv, Chevrolet venture, Oldsmobile silhouette minivans, and Chevrolet cavalier and pontiac sunfire sedans built between January 1, 1996 and October 31, 1997. Odi opened this rq after receiving reports that other vehicles were exhibiting the same symptoms as the recalled vehicles. Based on odi's review of technical and complaint data collected during the rq, the w-cars are associated with either a higher steering complaint rate or a higher lpb failure rate than the other vehicles investigated under the rq and are above or near the rates for the recalled vehicles. Thus, odi will further examine the w-cars (1996-1997 Oldsmobile cutlass supreme, 1996-1998 Buick regal, Chevrolet lumina, Chevrolet monte carlo, 1997-1998 Buick century, and 1998 Oldsmobile intrigue) under a new investigation, engineering analysis (ea)03-019.
Vehicles Affected by this investigation:
  • 1997 Buick Century
  • 1998 Buick Century
  • 1996 Buick Park Avenue
  • 1997 Buick Park Avenue
  • 1998 Buick Park Avenue
  • 1996 Buick Regal
  • 1997 Buick Regal
  • 1998 Buick Regal
  • 1996 Cadillac Deville
  • 1997 Cadillac Deville
  • 1998 Cadillac Deville
  • 1996 Cadillac Seville
  • 1997 Cadillac Seville
  • 1998 Cadillac Seville
  • 1996 Chevrolet Corvette
  • 1996 Chevrolet Lumina
  • 1997 Chevrolet Lumina
  • 1998 Chevrolet Lumina
  • 1997 Chevrolet Malibu
  • 1998 Chevrolet Malibu
  • 1996 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  • 1997 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  • 1998 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  • 1996 Oldsmobile 98
  • 1997 Oldsmobile 98
  • 1998 Oldsmobile 98
  • 1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass
  • 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass
  • 1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme
  • 1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme
  • 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  • 1996 Pontiac Grand Am
  • 1997 Pontiac Grand Am
  • 1998 Pontiac Grand Am

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